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2012 Sled Demo Rides- If you rode them, what did you think of them?
- Thread starter xcsp
- Start date
IMHO demo rides are a wast of time unless your dealer lets you take one out for the whole day.
really what can you learn in 15 or 20 min in a spot the the reps made darn sure was groomed the night before, on a sled set up for the Normal rider? nothing just a quick hook. crack dealers have been doing it for yrs here just try this little rock first on is free.
really what can you learn in 15 or 20 min in a spot the the reps made darn sure was groomed the night before, on a sled set up for the Normal rider? nothing just a quick hook. crack dealers have been doing it for yrs here just try this little rock first on is free.
IMHO demo rides are a wast of time unless your dealer lets you take one out for the whole day.
really what can you learn in 15 or 20 min in a spot the the reps made darn sure was groomed the night before, on a sled set up for the Normal rider? nothing just a quick hook. crack dealers have been doing it for yrs here just try this little rock first on is free.
The Polaris crew was actually looking for moguls. They wanted un groomed trafficked logging roads to do a 25 mile loop. I talked to them at the cherrywood and talked to them on the logging roads that we were riding.
I can see how a day can make a difference but they are obviously not afraid to use their suspension even if it is for only 25 miles.
IMHO demo rides are a wast of time unless your dealer lets you take one out for the whole day.
really what can you learn in 15 or 20 min in a spot the the reps made darn sure was groomed the night before, on a sled set up for the Normal rider? nothing just a quick hook. crack dealers have been doing it for yrs here just try this little rock first on is free.
I did the Arctic Cat and Polaris demo rides this year. They both had a mix of smooth trails and rough stuff. The AC ride was too short. The Polaris ride was better, but both are still not long enough. It is better then no test ride at all!
IMHO demo rides are a wast of time unless your dealer lets you take one out for the whole day.
really what can you learn in 15 or 20 min in a spot the the reps made darn sure was groomed the night before, on a sled set up for the Normal rider? nothing just a quick hook. crack dealers have been doing it for yrs here just try this little rock first on is free.
Never heard of a dealer who would let you take out a new sled for a whole day, that would be a good demo ride for sure.
Not sure about the others, but I went on a Polaris demo ride last year and it wasn't just a 15-20 minute ride and it wasn't on a recently groomed trail. Also stopped several times and if needed, made suspension adjustments to the sleds to suit each rider.
As joks79 mentioned, a short ride is better than nothing.
For the price of new sleds, the manufacturers should allow a decent amount of time on their demo rides.
Are we questioning how long the ride is or how was the ride of the machine?
I took it as how was the machine. Would like to hear more of that than grumblings about a free ride.
I think what the thread is exposing is group factory rides can be improved in mass & limted exposure does not give you what your really need to make a buying decision. Dealer demo test rides are throw you the keys & have at it your way & come back when you have an impression of what you need to know. Don't get me wrong factory rides are a very good thing to do but difficult to make judgements depending on where & how they let you ride.
Dealer demo test rides are throw you the keys & have at it your way & come back when you have an impression of what you need to know.
I don't think anyone lets you do this anymore, unless maybe you are a loyal buy a new sled every year customer.
So with that said, how were the test rides that are available?
Are we questioning how long the ride is or how was the ride of the machine?
I took it as how was the machine. Would like to hear more of that than grumblings about a free ride.
I was questioning how the ride of the machines were.
I mistook what you were looking for.
I rode a XF 1100 sno pro, a XF1100 LXR, and a Rush Pro R 800
Here is what I thought of the Cats that I posted here:
http://www.johndee.com/vbulletin/sh...demo-event-for-hougton-area-of-upper-michigan
I rode the Sno Pro first. This sled steered like no other Cat I have ever been on (I am a Cat guy, I have 2 today). The 1.5" track hooked up well. It actually pulled the skis off of the ground on a groomed trail with good traction. They took us down a rough trail and machine handled the rough stuff great. I did bottom out on one large bump, but I am a larger then normal guy (6'4" and 315lbs). The Sno Pros rear suspension was too a little stiff for even me. The little windshield was pointless to have when it was 10º out. It could of used some hand guards.
The LXR was next. I was surprised when my butt was getting warm. I can see the seat warmer as a plus for some people, but not for me. The riser was a little shorter then the sno pro and it was too short for me. The windshield was a little larger and kept the wind off my gloves. The suspension was much softer and probably a better fit for most.
If I was to buy a sled today I'd buy the sno pro 800 and try to soften up the rear suspension. I'd need some time on a four stroke before buying one (unless I got a deal on a demo four stroke). I'd really like to try one in the powder too.
Rush Pro R 800
I was hoping to ride a Switchback Assault, but they didn't have one available. I don't have anything bad to say about the Pro R. It was fun to ride, easy to steer, and had some nice power. The rear spring was hard to adjust at first, but once it is set for you it is going to be there. I did like not having to lay on the ground to adjust the spring. The clicker shocks are great. I had the front suspension set on five clicks and the rear on six clicks. I could hammer most of the bumps with ease. The sled would need a taller riser for a tall person. I am 6’4” and had the adjustable riser maxed out. The Rox riser was a nice touch. The sled needs knee pads! The Cobra track hooked up well. I am not a fan of the Ripsaw track. I still don't like the look of the tail of the machine.
I've wanted to ride one of these sleds since before they came out. I saw some being tested in the Keweenaw the winter before they release of this machine.
With that being said my next sled would be either a Cat or a Doo without riding the Switchback Assault.
I rode a XF 1100 sno pro, a XF1100 LXR, and a Rush Pro R 800
Here is what I thought of the Cats that I posted here:
http://www.johndee.com/vbulletin/sh...demo-event-for-hougton-area-of-upper-michigan
I rode the Sno Pro first. This sled steered like no other Cat I have ever been on (I am a Cat guy, I have 2 today). The 1.5" track hooked up well. It actually pulled the skis off of the ground on a groomed trail with good traction. They took us down a rough trail and machine handled the rough stuff great. I did bottom out on one large bump, but I am a larger then normal guy (6'4" and 315lbs). The Sno Pros rear suspension was too a little stiff for even me. The little windshield was pointless to have when it was 10º out. It could of used some hand guards.
The LXR was next. I was surprised when my butt was getting warm. I can see the seat warmer as a plus for some people, but not for me. The riser was a little shorter then the sno pro and it was too short for me. The windshield was a little larger and kept the wind off my gloves. The suspension was much softer and probably a better fit for most.
If I was to buy a sled today I'd buy the sno pro 800 and try to soften up the rear suspension. I'd need some time on a four stroke before buying one (unless I got a deal on a demo four stroke). I'd really like to try one in the powder too.
Rush Pro R 800
I was hoping to ride a Switchback Assault, but they didn't have one available. I don't have anything bad to say about the Pro R. It was fun to ride, easy to steer, and had some nice power. The rear spring was hard to adjust at first, but once it is set for you it is going to be there. I did like not having to lay on the ground to adjust the spring. The clicker shocks are great. I had the front suspension set on five clicks and the rear on six clicks. I could hammer most of the bumps with ease. The sled would need a taller riser for a tall person. I am 6’4” and had the adjustable riser maxed out. The Rox riser was a nice touch. The sled needs knee pads! The Cobra track hooked up well. I am not a fan of the Ripsaw track. I still don't like the look of the tail of the machine.
I've wanted to ride one of these sleds since before they came out. I saw some being tested in the Keweenaw the winter before they release of this machine.
With that being said my next sled would be either a Cat or a Doo without riding the Switchback Assault.
polaris4me
New member
Going on the Polaris Demo ride this coming Sunday. You have to sign up in Oct.
I did the ride last year, 45 mile ride. Ofcourse they want the sled setup so you really like the ride. My wife really liked the 800 Pro-R.
I did the ride last year, 45 mile ride. Ofcourse they want the sled setup so you really like the ride. My wife really liked the 800 Pro-R.
polaris4me
New member
Just got email,Polaris Demo ride in Gaylord, Mi. CANCELLED!! Do to unfavorable riding conditions. NO SNOW!!
This winter SUCKS!!
This winter SUCKS!!